411's MMA Rankings 7.17.08: Light Heavyweight Rankings

Posted by Dustin James on 07.17.2008

It's time once again for us to rank the best light heavyweight fighters in MMA. Who will be #1 after we witnessed Forrest Griffin take the UFC light heavyweight title from Rampage Jackson? 411's Dustin James gives you all the answers and plenty more inside the latest edition of 411's MMA Rankings......

Welcome, welcome, welcome kiddies! It's time again for us totally awesome dudes here at 411mania.com to rank the best light heavyweight fighters in MMA. And it couldn't have come at a better (worse?) time! We just had a tremendous shake-up in this division with Forrest Griffin's controversial win over Quinton Jackson at UFC 86. So, where do those two land in the rankings now? I won't waste your time with anymore of an introduction as I'm SURE you are dying to get to the rankings.....BUT FIRST......

Dustin James' Mini-movie Review: Felon

I was lucky enough to receive an advance copy of the new DVD Felon, due to the fact that the movie has a few MMA fighters in it (Carlos Condit, Joey Villasenor, & Mike Seal). The movie stars Stephen Dorff (Blade), Val Kilmer (Top Gun, Tombstone), Harold Perrineau (Lost, Oz), and a host of others. The plot involves Dorff's character who ends up killing a man while protecting his wife (ala Con Air) and kid. He ends up getting sentenced to the Corcoran State Prison, which is ran by Perrineau's evil Lt. William Jackson, where the guards are worse than the prisoner's themselves. However, his cell mate (Kilmer in an almost unrecognizable role) helps him get accustomed to prison life, in way's that would spoil the film if I told you.

The movie itself surprised me. I had never heard of the title, and that's almost never a good thing. However, the plot of the movie was right up my alley and was able to keep me entertained. The movie does a fantastic job of going after it's audience, which in this case is men. It's not a "must buy DVD" by any means, but I would recommend watching it at least once, otherwise I will be forced to take away your man card. What? You don't like my little mini-review? Well, I never told said I was a critic......

"Felon" is released on DVD July 17th.

---

Dustin James' College Football Conference Outlook

College football is right around the corner. It's no secret that I'm a HUGE fan of college football. Therefore I have decided to give YOU the 411 fans MY OWN personal preview of this upcoming college football season. All's you have to do is go to my blog right here on 411mania.com.......and check it out:

Dustin James' 2008 College Football Conference Outlook

I'm trying to get all the conferences done as fast as possible, but it's quite difficult. Just bookmark it and keep checking it to see if your favorite conference has been posted yet!

---

HUGE MMA Weekend Ahead

Yes, indeed it is! Just as a little reminder, I HIGHLY recommend watching all 3 shows this weekend. But if you can't, then here's my list of what shows I would make my priority:

1) Affliction "Banned" - The ad's on the radio are calling it the "BEST MIXED MARTIAL ARTS CARD IN HISTORY!" Will that end up becoming fact? One thing is clear, this show is stacked. Seriously, how could you watch UFC Fight Night 14 over this????

2) DREAM 5 - C'mon now. Shinya Aoki, Eddie Alvarez, Tatsuya Kawajiri, Caol Uno, Joachim Hansen, Yoshihiro Akiyama, and of course.......KID FUCKING YAMAMOTO! Awesome card.

3) UFC Fight Night 14 - Not a bad card by any means. However, it just doesn't get me as excited as the other two.

Now, with the reason you clicked on this........


411's MMA Ranking Rules

- If a fighter hasn't fought in a year, he can not be ranked. It's not fair to people who are fighting to not be ranked because a fighter is taking a year off. However, if a fighter schedules a fight he is still eligible for being ranked.

- If you wish to complain about a fighter's ranking in the comments section, then please include an objective reason as to why you don't like the ranking, and include your own set of rankings if you would!

- 411's MMA Rankings are voted on by the staff of 411mania. Therefore, if you don't like where a fighter is ranked you have to hate the 411 MMA staff as a whole. But we can take it, we are men. But remember that some of us are sensitive and don't like being called names like "Green Bay Packer" fans.




411's Official MMA Rankings: Light Heavyweight Division

Light Heavyweight Division (205 lbs)




1) Forrest Griffin (16-4)

Height: 6'3

Currently Fighting With: UFC

Last 5 fights:

- vs. Quinton Jackson - Win by decision (unanimous) - UFC 86: Jackson vs. Griffin - July 5, 2008

- vs. Mauricio Rua - Win by submission (rear naked choke) - UFC 76: Knockout - September 22, 2007

- vs. Hector Ramirez - Win by decision (unanimous) - UFC 72: Victory - July 16, 2007

- vs. Keith Jardine - Loss by TKO (punches) - UFC 66: Liddell vs. Ortiz 2 - December 30, 2006

- vs. Stephan Bonnar - Win via decision (unanimous) - UFC 62: Liddell vs. Sobral - August 26, 2006

Next scheduled appearance:

- Currently unknown

Comments: Well folks, it's official. Forrest Griffin is YOUR NEW UFC light heavyweight champion....as well as your NEW #1 light heavyweight fighter in the world. Does this make you happy? Does this make you pissed? Either way, it's very controversial. I happen to be one of those guy's who thinks Rampage did enough to defend his title successfully, however the judges saw it different and awarded the fight to Forrest. Doesn't matter if you like it or not......he's the new champ, therefore he's #1. Don't let the fight go into the hands of the judges. You always know it's a risk. Rampage himself said that the fight wouldn't go to a decision, but it did. Now he must suffer the consequences. Either way you look at it, Forrest Griffin now holds simultaneous victories over Shogun Rua and Rampage Jackson......so therefore, he's your new #1 light heavyweight fighter. Enjoy it.

---

2) Quinton Jackson (28-7)

Height: 6'1

Birthday: June 20, 1978

Currently Fighting With: UFC

Last 5 fights:

- vs. Forrest Griffin - Loss via decision (unanimous) - UFC 86: Jackson vs. Griffin - July 5, 2008

- vs. Dan Henderson - Win via decision (unanimous) - UFC 75: Champion vs. Champion - September 8, 2007

- vs. Chuck Liddell - Win via TKO (strikes) - UFC 71: Liddell vs. Jackson - May 26, 2007

- vs. Marvin Eastman - Win via TKO (strikes) - UFC 67: All or Nothing - February 3, 2007

- vs. Matt Lindland - Win via decision (split) - WFA - King of the Streets - July 22, 2006

Next scheduled appearance:

- In court (oh, I'm hilarious!)

Comments: Like I mentioned above, the only way to avoid a horrible judge's decision is to finish the fight like Rampage said he was going to do, he didn't finish Forrest.......and he took the risk of letting the judge's decide the fight for him, and that's what they did. There's not much more you can do about it other than continue to train and kick his ass in a re-match. All this bitching and complaining must stop. Rampage needs to focus on training and comeback like never before. Oh, and Rampage was arrested on Tuesday.....but I won't get into that. It's not like I'm biased towards Rampage or anything.

---

3) Chuck Liddell (21-5)

Height: 6'2

Birthday: December 17, 1969

Currently Fighting With: UFC

Last 5 fights:

- vs. Wanderlei Silva - Win via decision (unanimous) - UFC 79: Nemesis - December 29, 2007

- vs. Keith Jardine - Loss via decision (split) - UFC 76: Knockout - September 22, 2007

- vs. Quinton Jackson - Loss via TKO (strikes) - UFC 71: Liddell vs. Jackson - May 26, 2007

- vs. Tito Ortiz - Win via TKO (punches) - UFC 66: Liddell vs. Ortiz II - December 30, 2006

- vs. Renato Sobral - Win via TKO (strikes) - UFC 62: Liddell vs. Sobral - August 26, 2006

Next scheduled appearance:

- vs. Rashad Evans - UFC 88: Breakthrough - September 6, 2008

Comments: We are less than two months away from seeing if "The Iceman" can become the first guy to defeat Rashad Evans. So what happens if Rashad Evans defeats Liddell? Does Evans become one of the top contenders to Forrest Griffin's UFC light heavyweight title? And if that happens do we classify "The Ultimate Fighter" as a rousing success story? The only man who can stop this from happening.........Chuck Liddell. Can he remain one of the top fighter's in the UFC's light heavyweight division, or has his time passed? No matter how you look at it the UFC's light heavyweight division is stacked, and if Liddell loses to Evans he could find himself leaving this weight division, especially with Anderson Silva coming.

---

4) Lyoto Machida (13-0)

Height: 6'1

Birthday: May 3, 1978

Currently Fighting With: UFC

Last 5 fights:

- vs. Tito Ortiz - Win via decision (unanimous) - UFC 84: Ill Will - May 24, 2008

- vs. Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou - Win via submission (arm triangle choke) - UFC 79: Nemesis - December 29, 2007

- vs. Kazuhiro Nakamura - Win via decision (unanimous) - UFC 76: Knockout - September 22, 2007

- vs. David Heath - Win via decision (unanimous) - UFC 70: Nations Collide - April 21, 2007

- vs. Sam Hoger - Win via decision (unanimous) - UFC 67: All or Nothing - February 3, 2007

Next scheduled appearance:

- vs. Thiago Silva - UFC 89 - October 18, 2008

Comments: And speaking of young fighter's who could give Liddell and company a run for their money....here's The Dragon, Lyoto Machida. Machida remains one of the most unpopular fighters in the UFC due to his fighting style, but I'm one of the guy's who says.....who cares how you win, as long as you get that "W". UFC light heavyweight champion Forrest Griffin has gone on record and stated that he has NO intentions of facing Machida. However, if Lyoto keeps racking up victories over the top gun's in the UFC, Griffin may not have much of a choice. Depending on how the Griffin/Rampage fallout ends, we could see Machida getting a title shot within the next year. Of course, all that depends on how he does against THIAGO F'N Silva at UFC 89, a fight that was just announced!

---

5) Mauricio "Shogun" Rua (16-3)

Birthday: November 25, 1981

Currently Fighting With: UFC

Last 5 fights:

- vs. Forrest Griffin - Loss via submission (rear naked choke) - UFC 76: Knockout - September 22, 2007

- vs. Alistair Overeem - Win via KO (strikes) - PRIDE 33: Second Coming - February 24, 2007

- vs. Kazuhiro Nakamura - Win via decision (unanimous) - PRIDE Shockwave 2006 - December 31, 2006

- vs. Kevin Randleman - Win via submission (kneebar) - PRIDE 32: The Real Deal - October 21, 2006

- vs. Cyrille Diabate - Win via TKO (stomps) - PRIDE - Final Conflict Absolute - September 10, 2006

Next scheduled appearance:

- vs. Currently injured

Comments: Shogun announced recently that he expects to return in December and possibly fight at the UFC's New Year's Eve show. This is OUTSTANDING news as I'm a HUGE Shogun fan and have been dying for him to make another appearance in the Octagon. Who are some potential opponents for Shogun upon his return? How about Keith Jardine, Sokoudjou, or even Chuck Liddell? See, there are still PLENTY of GREAT fights for Shogun in the UFC.

---

6) Wanderlei Silva (32-8-1-1)

Height: 5'11

Birthday: July 3, 1976

Currently Fighting With: UFC

Last 5 fights:

- vs. Keith Jardine - Win via KO (punches) - UFC 84: Ill Will - May 24, 2008

- vs. Chuck Liddell - Loss via decision (unanimous) - UFC 79: Nemesis - December 29, 2007

- vs. Dan Henderson - Loss via KO (left hook) - PRIDE 33: The Second Coming - February 24, 2007

- vs. Mirko Cro Cop - Loss via KO (head kick) - PRIDE Final Conflict Absolute - September 10, 2006

- vs. Kazuyuki Fujita - Win via TKO (strikes) - PRIDE - Critical Countdown Absolute - July 1, 2006

Next scheduled appearance:

- vs. Currently unknown

Comments: Nothing new on Wanderlei......I still have a headache remembering that AWESOME KO of Jardine in May.

---

7) Rashad Evans (11-0-1)

Height: 5'11

Birthday: September 25, 1979

Currently Fighting With: UFC

Last 5 fights:

- vs. Michael Bisping - Win via decision (split) - UFC 78: Validation - November 17, 2007

- vs. Tito Ortiz - Draw - UFC 73: Stacked - July 7, 2007

- vs. Sean Salmon - Win via KO (high kick) - UFC Fight Night 8 - January 25, 2007

- vs. Jason Lambert - Win via KO (punches from mount) - UFC 63: Hughes vs. Penn - September 23, 2006

- vs. Stephan Bonnar - Win via decision (majority) - UFC - Ultimate Fight Night 5 - June 28, 2006

Next scheduled appearance:

- vs. Chuck Liddell - UFC 88: Breakthrough - September 6, 2008

Comments: I was the first guy to break the news that Liddell/Evans was back on for UFC 88 in September (thanks Matt!), and it turned out my source was CORRECT. Now the fight that could change the landscape of the UFC's light heavyweight, even more than it already has in the last month, goes down in about 2 months time. Can Evans take out Liddell and show that world that the UFC's light heavyweight division is being taken over by former Ultimate Fighter winners? It's a good time to be veteran of that show.........

---

8) Keith Jardine (13-4-1)

Height: 6'2

Currently Fighting With: UFC

Last 5 fights:

- vs. Wanderlei Silva - Loss by KO (punches) - UFC 84: Ill Will - May 24, 2008

- vs. Chuck Liddell - Win by decision (split) - UFC 76: Knockout - September 22, 2007

- vs. Houston Alexander - Loss by KO (punches) - UFC 71: Liddell vs. Jackson - May 26, 2007

- vs. Forrest Griffin - Win by TKO (punches) - UFC 66: Liddell vs. Ortiz 2 - December 30, 2006

- vs. Wilson Gouveia - Win via decision (unanimous) - UFC - Ultimate Fighter 3 Finale - June 24, 2006

Next scheduled appearance:

- vs. Currently unknown

Comments: What's next for Keith Jardine? Well, he can't fight for awhile....but I will keep you updated.

---

9) Thiago Silva (13-0)

Height: 6'1

Currently Fighting With: UFC

Last 5 fights:

- vs. Antonio Mendes - Win via submission (punches) - UFC 84: Ill Will - May 24, 2008

- vs. Houston Alexander - Win via TKO (strikes) - UFC 78: Validation - November 17, 2007

- vs. Tomasz Drwal - Win via TKO (strikes) - UFC 75: Champion vs. Champion - September 8, 2007

- vs. James Irvin - Win via TKO (knee injury) - UFC 71: Liddell vs. Jackson - May 26, 2007

- vs. Tatsuya Mizuno - Win via KO (soccer kick) - Pancrase - Rising 2 - February 28, 2007

Next scheduled appearance:

- vs. Lyoto Machida - UFC 89 - October 18, 2008

Comments: Thiago will be facing Lyoto Machida at UFC 89. One of these guy's is set to lose. Will it be Machida who has become the guy that "nobody wants to fight" due to his fighting style? Well, guess what. Silva took that challenge and now we all get to see it! Yay us!

---

10) Tito Ortiz (15-6-1)

Height: 6'2

Birthday: January 23, 1975

Currently Fighting With: Free Agent

Last 5 fights:

- vs. Lyoto Machida - Loss via Decision (unanimous) - UFC 84: Ill Will - May 24, 2008

- vs. Rashad Evans - Draw - UFC 73: Stacked - July 7, 2007

- vs. Chuck Liddell - Loss via TKO (punches) - UFC 66: Liddell vs. Ortiz 2 - December 30, 2006

- vs. Ken Shamrock - Win via TKO (punches) - Ortiz vs. Shamrock 3: The Final Chapter - October 10, 2006

- vs. Ken Shamrock - Win via TKO (strikes) - UFC 61: Bitter Rivals - July 8, 2006

Next scheduled appearance:

- vs. Currently unknown

Comments: Nothing new on the future of Tito Ortiz. Although the rumor is that he's trying to start his own MMA promotion now that he has left the UFC. Good luck with that Tito........

---

On the bubble:


(On the bubble includes fighters who almost cracked the Top 10. These fighters remain serious threats in their current division)




Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou (5-2)

Birthday: April 18, 1984

Currently Fighting With: UFC

Last 5 fights:

- vs. Kazuhiro Nakamura - Win via TKO (leg injury) - UFC 84: Ill Will - May 24, 2008

- vs. Lyoto Machida - Loss via submission (arm triangle choke) - UFC 79: Nemesis - December 29, 2007

- vs. Ricardo Arona - Win via KO (punch) - PRIDE 34: Kamikaze - April 8, 2007

- vs. Antonio Rogerio Nogueira - Win via TKO (strikes) - PRIDE 33 - Second Coming - February 24, 2007

- vs. Glover Teixeira - Loss via TKO (strikes) - WEC 24: Full Force - October 12, 2006

Next scheduled appearance:

- vs. Luiz Cane - UFC 89 - October 18, 2008

---

Vladimir Matyushenko (21-3)

Height: 6'1

Birthday: January 4, 1971

Currently Fighting With: IFL

Last 5 fights:

- vs. Jamal Patterson - Win via TKO (strikes) - IFL: New Jersey - April 4, 2008

- vs. Alex Schoenauer - Win via decision (unanimous) - IFL - World Grand Prix Semifinals - November 3, 2007

- vs. Tim Boetsch - Win via decision (unanimous) - IFL - 2007 Semifinals - August 2, 2007

- vs. Aaron Stark - Win via TKO (punches) - IFL - Everett - June 1, 2007

- vs. Justin Levens - Win via TKO (strikes) - IFL - Los Angeles - March 17, 2007

Next scheduled appearance:

- Currently unknown

---

Antonio Rogerio Nogueira (13-3)

Height: 6'2

Birthday: June 2, 1976

Currently Fighting With: Affliction

Last 5 fights:

- vs. Todd Gouwenberg - Win via TKO - HCF - Destiny - February 1, 2008

- vs. Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou - Loss via TKO (strikes) - PRIDE 33: The Second Coming - February 24, 2007

- vs. Alistair Overeem - Win via TKO (strikes) - PRIDE Critical Countdown Absolute - July 7, 2006

- vs. Mauricio Rua - Loss via decision (unanimous) - PRIDE Critical Countdown 2005 - June 6, 2005

- vs. Dan Henderson - Win via submission (arm bar) - PRIDE - Total Elimination 2005 - April 23, 2005

Next scheduled appearance:

- vs. Edwin Dewees - Affliction: Banned - July 19, 2008